SXSW

SXSW Film Review: Human Nature (USA, 2019) describes powerful science & possibilities from tomorrow

At SXSW 2017, American biochemist, Jennifer Doudna was telling everybody about CRISPR. Allow me one last Human Nature reference… Doudna was telling the last ones to know about a new technology that has the potential to alter genes. Human Nature is a documentary that takes a deep dive into this fascinating scientific world, and chronicles…

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SXSW Film Review: Well Groomed (USA, 2019) is well intentioned, oddly emotionally investing, and full of heart

As new dog grooming business owner (and one of Well Groomed‘s fascinating human subjects) Nicole Beckman states during her introduction that competitive dog grooming was always something she thought as being “just silly” before entering the competitive stakes herself, her initial thoughts are likely to be mirrored by many unversed in the ways of competitive…

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SXSW Film Review: Little Monsters (Australia, 2019) proves an instant classic of the Zombie Comedy genre

At the age of 37, Australian writer and director Abe Forsythe has already had a truly impressive output of films. At the age of 21, he put out the memorable (if maligned) Ned, in the same year as the Heath Ledger film, and has since delivered us great comedies in both short and long form, including…

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Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen’s hilarious new comedy Long Shot throws epic Premiere with Boyz II Men

Tonight at the Paramount Theatre at SXSW, Long Shot, the new romantic comedy starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen, had its first ever public screening. Not due for release until the start of May, the film sees the pair playing something akin to star-crossed lovers, with a political bend; Theron starring as America’s Secretary of…

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Here are all the UK acts playing the British Music Embassy at SXSW 2019

The British Music Embassy returns to SXSW this weekend for its 12th year, taking over Latitude 30 with a slew of events and live performances from 10th to 16th March, and special interactive events from the 8th to the 10th. And though a lot of these events were announced last month, there have been a…

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Angie McMahon to join Mavis Staples at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion Festival in Texas

Last year we were lucky enough to attend Luck Reunion festival in Texas; an event held during SXSW about an hour out of Austin on Willie Nelson’s ranch in Luck, Texas. Aussie artist Ruby Boots was among the impressive line-up this year, and now Australia’s own Angie McMahon will be joining the 2019 event –…

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Interview: Luke from I Know Leopard talks heading to SXSW for the first time

Ahead of their appearance at our first ever SXSW night showcase, we caught up with Luke from Sydney’s I Know Leopard. This will be the band’s first trip to Austin for the iconic music festival and conference, so we thought we’d sit down with the band and get the low down on their expectations, anticipations and…

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Aussie comedian Ronny Chieng joins a packed Comedy Festival lineup for SXSW 2019

The SXSW Comedy Festival grows every year, and this year is without question its most packed lineup ever, with comedians from Tim and Eric, Broad City, The Daily Show (including Australia’s own Ronny Chieng) and iconic favourites like Kathy Griffin, Todd Barry and Paul F. Tompkins. The roster – including stand-up showcases, improv performances, conversations, podcast recordings,…

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Australia House music showcases revealed for SXSW 2019

Set times have now officially been released for the second annual Australia House, taking place during SXSW in Austin, Texas. For over ten years, SOUNDS AUSTRALIA has been to thank for bolstering the success of many globally recognised and adored Australian artists. This year sees SOUNDS AUSTRALIA celebrating their 10th anniversary (along with the AU Review!) as they return…

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The Capital One House at SXSW has announced a PACKED lineup for 2019

The Capital One House at Antone’s always has an impressive lineup; but this year’s collection of acts from around the world just might take the cake. The event, which runs alongside the Interactive portion of SXSW, often hosts exclusive performances ahead of the main music conference, with world class artists who need little introduction nor the…

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the AU review announces its first ever SXSW official showcase as final 10th Birthday celebration with Hello Asia!

In our 10th year of covering SXSW on the AU review, we’re thrilled to reveal the lineup for our first ever official showcase at the iconic Austin event. Partnering with our sister publication Hello Asia!, the event will feature three Australian acts and two acts from Japan and one from Korea. It’s all happening at…

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Prepare your FOMO: This intimate, Delta Spirit-curated festival on a ranch during SXSW sounds incredible

Those following our coverage of SXSW last year might remember we headed along to Willie Nelson’s festival Luck Reunion, which is held on his ranch about an hour out of Austin. Well this year, Matthew Logan Vasquez of Delta Spirit is curating an incredibly intimate experience which seems inspired by Nelson’s, dubbed the “Revival Experience at…

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Pet Sematary world premiere announced alongside a fresh lineup of Aussie talent added to SXSW Film Festival 2019

Every March, the SXSW Film Festival takes place in Austin, Texas – and it’s home to some of the biggest and most exciting world premieres alongside the freshest up-and-coming features and shirts. From March 8–17, the 2019 event will be celebrating a lineup of 131 Feature Films, 101 Short Films (including Music Videos), 5 Episodic…

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SXSW 2019 just got even bigger: Here’s everything you need to know

The SXSW Conference and Festival, or South by Southwest, recently announced additions to its massive line up of showcasing artists for 2019. For several decades now, this Texas based event has been celebrating music, film and interactive media and has turned into a hot spot for connecting with other international artist, labels, and audiences. Being…

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Five Aussie acts set to make waves at SXSW Festival 2019 in Austin, Texas

South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival is an annual conference held in Austin, Texas, and is the number one hot spot for eyeing down your fav new artists. Mixed with a bunch of industry legends and newbies from around the world, artists perform in front of industry professionals, media and fans at venues ranging from…

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Interview: Hyun Lee on Asian Girls and the benefits of diversity in film funding

Earlier this year, we sat down with Hyun Lee, the director of a short film called Asian Girls which screened at SXSW in Austin, Texas and then at the Sydney Film Festival. We talked about the making of the film, working with Rainbow Chan, and the benefits and importance of diversity in film funding. It’s…

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Shirley Manson with Lauren Mayberry set to speak at SXSW as first speakers revealed

“As a premier destination for innovation and creative discovery, SXSW is proud to begin our 2019 season by announcing a strong and dynamic group of leaders, storytellers, and visionaries holding important conversations about the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.” South by Southwest have announced their first wave of keynote and featured speakers for the…

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SXSW opens up applications for its 2019 Film Festival

Attention filmmakers! Film submissions for the 2019 SXSW (South by Southwest) Film Festival are now open, providing both established and aspiring filmmakers alike to jump on board! Once again held in Austin, Texas, the 2019 Festival is set to take place from 8-17 March. The SXSW offers filmmakers a life changing opportunity, ranging from feature…

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Interview: Ari Aster, Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro on the making of Hereditary

Just about every horror movie leading up to release is dubbed “scariest. ever” because that’s the way hype works. “Scary” is what pulls us into horror movies and often creates unfair expectations which leave us – especially horror buffs – bitterly disappointed. As someone who is fairly well-versed in horror and finds something to love…

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Interview: Houston “raptivist” Genesis Blu on balancing psychotherapy and hip hop

Rising Houston rapper Genesis Blu doesn’t seem like your typical Third Coast emcee. She’s not rapping about the things often ascribed to the Lone Star State’s unique brand of hip hop, but instead represents a unique fusion of professional life and art. She’s a psychotherapist by day, and that life is bleeding over into her…

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The Jacobson Brothers’ new film Brothers’ Nest is changing the way local productions interact with local cinemas

While the highly anticipated Australian film Brothers’ Nest recently premiered at SXSW earlier this year, that didn’t stop director/producer/star Clayton Jacobson, writer/producer Jaime Browne and producer Jason Byrne from pushing the boundaries of Australian films by establishing a personal bond with theatres that little have done before. I caught up with the trio while we were at…

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Film Review: Ghost Stories (UK, 2018) is a refreshing and original horror anthology

With high replay value and some clever pacing, Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson have transposed their West End play Ghost Stories to the big screen with a refreshing eye for originality, spinning a grand three-part horror anthology into one thoroughly entertaining and unpredictable film that never stops subtly building towards its tremendous finale. And that’s…

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Interview: Getting to know rising Brooklyn R&B artist, Adrian Daniel

One showcase at SXSW clearly wasn’t enough to spread the word about Brooklyn R&B artist Adrian Daniel. The relative newcomer, fresh off releasing his excellent sophomore album Flawd, flew under the radar at last month’s quintessential showcase event but there’s little doubt the music world will be hearing more from him as people start picking…

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Interview: Common Holly (Canada) on touring North America with Gang of Youths and playing SXSW

Montreal’s indie-rock rising star Brigitte Nagga, better known as Common Holly, set tongues wagging at SXSW as she showed off her latest album Playing House – just as Aussie band Gang of Youths were doing the same. Since the Austin event, they’ve been touring America together, and to learn a little more about the artist…

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SXSW Film Review: Wobble Palace (USA, 2018) is alt-lit in cinema

You anticipate a film to be vogue when millennial buzzwords and Internet culture forms the first ten minutes. You probably wouldn’t expect that film to be any good either. I didn’t. But by the time Wobble Palace had reached its epilogue, it had convinced me of a couple of things. The first, that it wasn’t…

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Interview: Austin’s Deezie Brown on Kanye West comparisons, Judith, and more

Every young rapper has to be the “next something”. The next Jay Z; the next Ice Cube; the next MC Lyte; the next Nas. Reference points are handy for upcoming artists, although they may be frustrating in the long term. It’d be no surprise if Deezie Brown has run into a far few of those…

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Neo-Nazis, death threats and critical acclaim (in Russia): what happens when you sh*t on Brendan Maclean

Brian and Karl are an Aussie filmmaking duo based in London who made waves last year when they made a NSFW music video for Sydney’s Brendan Maclean, “House of Air”. Banned from YouTube (unsurprisingly) and sparking a wave of praise and criticism, the video recently appeared on the big screen as part of the SXSW…

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SXSW Guest Review: Lime Cordiale: Catchy but not catching fire

While at SXSW last month, there emerging writers from around the world were invited to head along to watch show featuring an Australian artist. Our final writer, Ryan Rhea, looks back on his experience watching Sydney’s Lime Cordiale for the first time. In a time when too many bands are mere reflections of a trend—pop-era…

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SXSW Guest Review: Why Thandi Phoenix is worthy of memorialising

While at SXSW last month, a few emerging non-Australian writers were invited to head along to watch show featuring an Australian artist. Our second writer, Jaison Oliver, looks back on his experience watching Sydney’s rising pop star Thandi Pheonix. “It’s all a blur of tacos.” Thandi Phoenix is somewhere in the middle of eight scheduled…

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SXSW Guest Review: Sydney’s Sons of the East: Dare I call this Australia-cana?

While at SXSW last month, a few emerging non-Australian writers were invited to head along to watch show featuring an Australian artist. Our first writer, Sam Jackson, looks back on his experience watching Sydney outfit Sons of the East. “The more people dance, the better we play.” I don’t think Sydney’s Sons of the East…

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